What You Need to Know about Pipeline Installation

Oil and gas pipelines are an integral part of any country's energy infrastructure. These large-scale underground infrastructure installations are what enable several industries to function and produce their output while also being the source of power for several thousands of people. Such large-scale projects require proper and secure installation to deliver the oil and gas supply efficiently. Additionally, a pipeline that is not properly secure could leak, causing potential catastrophic incidents that could lead to a safety hazard and environmental damage. This article explores what goes into installing a pipeline on an industrial scale and how to do it safely. 

Pipeline Installation Preparations 

A fair amount of preparation goes into pipeline installation. Some of the steps are discussed below.

1. Creating a Staging Area - The first step to an underground oil and gas pipeline installation is to manufacture the pipes. For this, the most important thing is to have a construction staging area with adequate storage. A typical storage and staging yard is made layered with rough stone gravel and reinforced with large wood timber matting. Since these areas are used for stockpiling pipes, equipment, parts and fuel tanks, the area must be properly cleared and strategically located. They must be able to accommodate heavy construction vehicles. 

2. Identifying the Row - Once the row has been identified for where the pipeline will be laid, we would have to begin the felling of trees and timber to clear the area and make way for the pipeline. This includes getting rid of all the stumps. 

3. Trenching - Now that we have an accessible storage yard and a cleared-out row for laying the pipeline, we can begin trenching. With the help of specialized equipment, we dig out the identified areas and clear all the debris. Once the trenches have been dug we secure them with sandbags to restrict water flow and support the pipe. 

4. Pipe Transportation and Assembly Preparations - Once the trench has been dug and secured, we must transport the pipe from the staging area. Pre-coated sections of pipe are brought to the row and then laid either alongside the dug trench or within it using support from sandbags or rigging equipment. Sections of pipe are welded together and bent in any required sections using specific tools. 

5. Additional Supporting Infrastructure - When a pipeline is predominantly underground, there needs to be additional infrastructure in place to support the pipeline’s operations. Some of the key support structures needed for an underground pipeline operation are metering stations, valve stations and compressor stations that all play key roles in ensuring a smoothly running operation. 

6. Working with Obstacles - When working on pipeline installation near large cities, motorable roads, rivers or wetlands, we use techniques such as boring for shallow depths or horizontal directional drilling to achieve a deeper placement. 

What Is Pipeline Integrity? 

By definition, pipeline integrity refers to the degree to which pipelines are free from defects or damage. It is crucial to maintain a secure pipeline when dealing with oil or natural gas as leakage can mean catastrophic damage and environmental fallout. Hence, pipelines are constantly monitored for issues like corrosion or damage that can potentially cause a leak. It is also crucial to ensure that the pipes are not carrying any moisture or impurities that can jeopardize the payload. For example, to transport gas, you cannot have any moisture content whatsoever. It is very important to maintain an oil or gas pipeline’s integrity for risk-free and smooth operations. 

Installation and Testing

Once all the preparations are complete, the pipeline can be fully installed and tested before commencing operations. Once the pipeline’s integrity has been verified, the trenches are filled and testing can commence. Large amounts of water are pumped through the pipes at a much greater pressure than standard operating levels. This helps us measure the durability and performance of the pipeline. Once it has held up through these tests, operations can begin. The surface of the row is then seeded, fertilized and markers are placed along the pipeline’s path. 

Raci is an oil and gas pipeline installation and maintenance company in India that offers underground pipeline installation, pipeline restoration, gas pipeline rehabilitation and underground pipeline leak repairs. We offer quality engineering solutions and work with several large PSUs and Indian energy companies. Over the years we have become a trusted brand and are known for our reliability and efficiency during projects.